Defensive Driving

Defensive Driving

Defensive driving means being aware and prepared. As you drive, you must focus on potential hazards such as wandering wildlife or passing a multi-vehicle accident, as well as what you're doing to prevent disaster such as adjusting your speed where you know wild animals or people may be crossing the road.

Those are just a few examples, of course.

Defensive Driving Tips

Maintaining a Safe Cushion

Even if you're driving defensively you still must have time to react to the drivers around you. Maintaining a two-second cushion with the vehicle ahead of you, under normal driving conditions, will serve as a good position to maintain. This way if the vehicle in front stops suddenly you'll have space and time to react properly.

You should increase your "safety cushion" to three or four seconds when driving in rain or snow, and when following motorcycles.

When driving on multi-lane highways you should also maintain a cushion with the vehicles on your sides. If you have another vehicle riding alongside of you either speed up or slow down in order to create space.

Night Driving

To avoid being blinded by an approaching vehicle's headlights focus your eyes on the on the right side of the road. Also, maintain a speed that will allow you to stop within the distance of your headlights.

Road Rage

Road rage is more than a reaction. It's also a crime. To avoid it you should refrain from tailgating, cutting other vehicles off, and engaging in menacing gestures with other drivers. If you are being harassed by a driver gripped with road rage try to pull off the road into a public area and contact the police.

Slippery Roads

When driving on rain-slick roads you should reduce your speed by five to 10 miles per hour. Hydroplaning can start to occur when driving at 30 miles per hour. If this happens to you ease off the gas pedal and only begin to brake when your car feels under control.

When snow or ice grip the road you should slow your speed to no higher than 10 miles per hour.

Curves

Always slow your vehicle to a safe speed before entering a curve. You do not want to brake while in the midst of turning your wheels. This increases your risk of skidding.